The 2014 Christmas season is upon us with festivities beginning Thursday December 4th around 6:30 p.m. with the Lighted Christmas Parade presented by Texas Rock Crusher Railway.

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and KTXS present the 6th Annual Christmas Under the Stars Festival Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th at the Depot Plaza Complex, Adams Street Community Center, and the Railroad Museum.

Funnel Cakes and hot chocolate are a few of the tasty treats to try while the kiddos build crosses and decorate Christmas ornaments, cookies, and pet food bowls.

Glide around the ice skating rink then stroll to the Railroad Museum and experience Choo Choo Christmas.

The Brownwood Country Club is a semi-private club. The 18 hole layout offers fun to all golfers with its great bentgrass greens and open fairways. Visit skycaddie.com and download Brownwood Country Club's golf course. Amenities include a driving range, chipping green (with bunkers) anda large putting green, pool, restaurant and bar. There is also a fully stocked golf shop for any golfer to acquire equipment, apparel, and a P.G.A. golf professional. Open all year long and closed on Mondays. Guest policy-play with a member, reciprocate to another club, or ask the BCC about their Special One-Time Family PAss. Dress code -- proper golf attire.

8.71 acres off Morris Shepherd at Burnett Road across from Brownwood Regional Medical Center. Camp Bowie in Brownwood was a vital military training camp during WWII. Today there is a memorial park displaying military equipment and vehicles used during WWII through Vietnam honoring the role the United States Military has played in the history and development of Brownwood.

Located at corner of Center Ave. and East Baker. This downtown park was built in 2003 on the location of the old J. C. Penny's. The park has a beautiful water fall with rock walls that provide seating.

70.78 acres off Milam Drive and Calvert Road, next to Gordon Wood Stadium. Includes Gordon Wood Stadium, Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center, three Concession Stands, three Boys Baseball Fields, two Adult Softball Fields, all fields with bleachers, two Playgrounds, four restroom facilities, and large parking area.

For Ball Field information or reservations, call Adams Street Community Center at (325)646-0146

3 acres off Cordell and Hall Street right next to Austin Avenue. One Baseball/Softball Field with bleachers, Holman Pool, Pavilion Area, one Basketball half-court, one Basketball full-court lighted, Sand Volleyball pit, one lighted Tennis Court, large Playground Area, picnic tables, BBQ grills, park benches, restroom facilities, and parking area. Bennie Houston Community Center is also part of the park and is open 1:00 pm to 9:00pm Monday through Friday. The cCommunity Center is also available to rent. The Center includes an indoor Basketball/Volleyball Gym, Kitchen, tables, chairs, meeting rooms, and restroom facilitites.

Approximately 25 acres located on Milam Drive next to the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center. Volleyball area, two Baseball/Softball practice fields, pavilion area, RV hookups, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. The Pavilion may be reserved by calling Adams Street Community Center at (325)646-0146.

The Brown County Youth Fair Board manages the Earl Q. Wilson Arena, Home Econimcs Building and the Youth Fair Barns. The Arena is the home of the Annual Brown County Rodeo, and other related events. The Youth Fair Grounds include four barns and one Show Area. The Home Economics Building has a kitchen, restrooms, open floor plan, tables and chairs.

Way out Wineries – "Way Out Wineries is a group of boutique wineries in the "middle" of Texas, from the north part of the Texas Hill Country to just south of the DFW metroplex.” Brownwood is located at the half-way point between the wineries, and is the perfect overnight stop for trail visitors coming from any direction.

Texas Forts Trail – "Come visit the Texas Forts Trail Region and you'll walk in the footsteps of a colorful cast of characters – Spanish missionaries, nomadic Native Americans, determined soldiers, gritty cattlemen and eager settlers.” Brown County is one of 29 counties represented on the Forts Trail with several historic attractions.

Great Texas Wildlife Trail – Experience Brownwood's Loop of the Heart of Texas Great Texas Wildlife Trail by following the path of the Pecan Bayou. This body of slow moving water supports several kinds of plant and animal that attracted human settlement like the Tonkawa and Comanche. This bayou was a fabled fishing stream during the frontier era and received favorable comments from travelers and soldiers for its beauty, varied flora and fauna, rich soil abundant pecan and oak timber.

Texas Hill Country Wildflower Trail – Visit Brownwood this spring on the Texas Hill Country Wildflower Trail. Be sure to plan your trip to include one of our many spring events like the Heart of Texas Quilt Show or the Heart of Texas Wildflower Exhibit.

Birding Guide at Lake Brownwood State Park - Several miles of hiking trails in the Lake Brownwood State Park provide opportunity for spotting many types of birds. This Field Checklist is provided by the Lake Brownwood State Park, and is the result of visual records, mist-netting and bird-banding over a period of 24 months. Contact the State Park or the Brownwood Chamber for a copy, or pick one up while you are here.

Texas Oak Trail at Lake Brownwood State Park - This trail is located in an upland area above Lake Brownwood. The plants and animals of this area are a combination of species from the Edwards Plateau, Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timers, and the Rolling Plains. Contact the State Park or the Brownwood Chamber for a copy of the Trail guide, or pick one up while you are here.

Brown County offers the perfect setting as a country wedding destination. Our prime location in the center of Texas at the top of the hill country makes travel convenient for family and friends!

Everything you will need for planning the perfect wedding can be found in the Brownwood Area:

Wedding planners, unique and beautiful indoor and outdoor venues, party rentals for the perfect ambiance, bakeries capable of creating your dream cake, photographers experienced in capturing precious moments, caterers to suit every taste, and spas/salons specializing in wedding day preparations.

Our resource guide, combined with the annual Brownwood Area Bridal Fair held each January, will provide you with everything you need to plan the perfect wedding in Brown County, creating lasting memories.

Martin & Francis Lehnis Railroad Museum opened September, 2007. The Museum exhibits the railroad history of Brownwood, Central Texas, and the American Southwest. The exhibit includes railroad lenterns, model trains of all sizes and ages, railroad equipment, interactive telegraph equipment used to send telegraph messages, railroad videos, photographs of railroad employees, structures and trains, and the sights and sounds of trains, trains, trains! The first Saturday of every month is Family Day with special programs and discounted admission.

The Brown County Museum (formerly the old Brown County Jail) is located at 212 N. Broadway near the Brown County Courthouse. It resembles an ancient European castle in its design. It was completed in 1903 by Englishman stone mason, William F. Morton. The building has 4 stories with the third floor containing a trap door and lever for executions.

Museum’s Education Center located across the street at 209 N. Broadway maintains an extensive collection of history from Camp Bowie’s WWII with artifacts, photos and POW Camp history. Also, it maintains Brown County’s history beginning with the Plains Indians and ending with the WWII victory. There is a Kidz Zone with hands-on artifacts from our rich heritage..

Admission: $3.00. Senior Citizens 65+ and Military with current ID are $2.00; children 5 years and younger are Free.

Camp Bowie in Brownwood was a vital military training center during WWII. Today there is a memorial park displaying military equipment and vehicles used during WWII through Vietnam honoring the role the United States Military has played in the history and development of Brownwood.

the Gordon Wood Hall of Champions Museum pays tribute to Coach gordon Wood, the winningest high school football coach in Texas, as well as the "Hall of Champions," a collection of athletes and coaches included into the prestigious "Hall of Champions." The first room of the museum is designed to look like a football locker room and features a video of Coach Wood welcoming guests to the museum, along with tributes by more than two dozen top coaches in the nation. The second room displays memorabilisfrom Coach Wood's career. The third room showcases Wood's playbooks and recognizes members of his coaching staff.

The Hall of Champions may be viewed during office hours of the Brownwood Economic Development Council.

The Rufus F. Hardin Museum - Currently Under RenovationThe Rufus F. Hardin Museum held its groundbreaking March 25, 2009 to begin renovations of the School. Although not yet open, visitors may drive by the property at 505 cordell. The purpose of the Rufus F. Hardin Museum is to preserve Brownwood's African American history of the community through preservation of the Rufus F. Hardin School, collecting and exhibiting historical artifacts, memorabilia, presentation of educational programs and other activities significant to the history of African Americans in Brown County, including relationships to Texas history and American history. The Hardin School opened in September, 1917 with three classrooms and an auditorium. The school was called Brownwood Colored High School and went through the 10th grade.

In 1947, R. F. Hardin High School with its 12 grades became a "fully affiliated and accredited high school." In 1970, R. F Hardin High School closed. The real heritage of the rufus F. Hardin School lies in its past and future.

The Blanket Museum of History

The Blanket Museum of History was opened July 29, 2009 to display and preserve the history of Blanket, Texas, in Brown county. the museum has many artifacts from Blanket, as well as serves as a research center for family history.

Many genealogy resources are available for research. The museum is housed in the former Blanket State Bank building (built in 1901) and the former Ernest Allen Drug Store building (opened in 1928).